Definition
旦夕 is a classical Chinese compound that literally means 'morning and evening'. It is most commonly used in literary or formal writing to express a very short period of time ('a short while'), as in the idioms 旦夕之间 ('in a flash') and 危在旦夕 ('imminent danger'). As a noun in specialized contexts, it can also refer to a 'single track' (abbreviation of 单轨). For everyday conversation, you won't hear it much — stick to 一会儿 or 马上.
n.
(formal, noun) a short whilea brief moment
noun
single track (abbreviation of 单轨)
Examples
- ，旦夕。Zhè jiā gōngsī jīngyíng bùshàn, dàn xī zhī jiān jiù kěnéng dǎobì.This company is poorly managed and may go bankrupt in no time.
- ，。Bìngrén de qíngkuàng wēi zài dàn xī, xūyào lìkè shǒushù.The patient is in critical condition — surgery is needed immediately.
- 旦夕，。Zhè tiáo tiělù cǎiyòng dàn xī shèjì, ér bùshì shuāngguǐ.This railway uses a single-track design rather than double track.
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